The Uasin Gishu CEC for Agriculture, Mr. Edward Sawe has appreciated MARKUP for the activities they have carried out in various areas in Uasin Gishu County.
He was speaking when he hosted the East Africa Markup Regional Steering Committee for a benchmarking programme.
The EU-EAC Market Access Upgrade Programme (MARKUP) aims at enhancing market access to coffee, cocoa, tea, spices, avocado and other horticultural products from East Africa Community (EAC) Partner States to the EU, the Region and Globally.
The program aims at providing an opportunity for learning and experience sharing on achievements, as well as lessons and challenges in specific value chains or thematic areas.
Christine Misiko the knowledge management expert, UNIDO MARKUP, said that United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), MARKUP Project has supported Uasin Gishu County in the passion fruit value chain. The County has benefited from training on Global GAP Standards, Group dynamics and other various market access training to county extension officers and farmers/producers in the passion fruit value chain. This training helps in improving quality production for fruit farmers to access global markets.
The CEC urged farmers to provide quality products based on the G.A.P standards to increase market access adding that the County will continue to provide more training to farmers on post-harvest losses and cold storage facilities to prolong the lifespan of agricultural products.
The Ag. Chief Officer for Agriculture Reuben Seroney said that Innovation areas will also be provided including shades for passion fruit farmers against harsh climatic conditions. He further urged the farmers to apply for funding and join cooperatives.
The county Government of Uasin Gishu says it targets the youth by offering training services, supplying seedlings, pesticide awareness campaigns and value chain analysis to help in getting feedback to know the challenges the youth experience in farming and how to improve for effective production.
The County government also committed to ensuring there are good road networks within farming areas to ease the transportation of agricultural products.
The benchmarking activity included a farm visit to FAJU farm in Ngeria Ward, owned by Judith Jepkoech Konga a passion fruit farmer, who shared her achievements and challenges on the value chain.
Present during the event were Deputy Director of Agriculture Mr.Asowa, MarkUp focal point person Mr. Maritim, Judy Oloo Horticultural officer and delegates from Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and Kenya.
